The New York-based design firm of Alex Sepkus has established a trust fund to assist an employee who was stricken with spinal meningitis last year. Kinga Marjai, 32, is a master bench jeweler who came to the United States from Hungary seven years ago. She fell ill in June 2003, slipping into a three-month coma. Despite doctors’ predictions that she would remain in a vegetative state, she awoke from the coma in September 2003 and has made significant progress toward recovery since then.

Her self-stated goal is to return to her career as a master jeweler, but extensive and costly physical therapy and surgery are necessary. The trust fund has been established to help offset her medical costs. (Donations are not tax deductible.)

Anyone wishing more information or to make a donation should contact the Trust Fund Benefiting Kinga Marjai, c/o Alex Sepkus Inc., 42 W. 48 St., New York, NY 10036, or call Jeffrey D. Feero at (212) 391-8466.